Mechanical -stoker



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. B. GREUTER. MECHANICAL STOKER.

No. 595,946. Patented Dec. 21, 1897.

a M I,

(No Model.) 4 S11eetsSheet 4,

0.1%. GREUTER. MECHANICAL STOKER.

No. 595,945 Patented Dec; 21,- 1897.

NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES R. GREUTER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES C.KEOUGH, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

M EC HANICA'L STOKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 595,945, datedDecember 21, 1897'.

Application filed June 25, 1896. Serial'No. 596,897. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES R. GREUTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMechanical Stokers, of which the following isa specification.

My invention pertains to mechanical stokers for furnaces; and itconsists in various novel features, combinations, and detailshereinafter set forth.

The invention is susceptible of application to furnaces generally, butis peculiarly suited to boiler-furnaces,since in its preferredembodiment it comprises as a part of the complete structure orcombination a watermotor taking its supply from the boiler and under thepressure therein. This, however, is not an essential feature, thoughdeemed a very desirable and advantageous plan.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of afurnace-front with my improved stoking apparatus applied; Fig. 2, aperspective view of the fuel and ash grates, the furnace-front, andmotor, looking from the inner or rear side .of the front plate; Fig. 3,a longitudinal vertical section of the stoking apparatus, grates, andfire-chamber, showing the bridge-Wall and lower front portion of theboiler; Fig. 4, a vertical transverse section on the line at a: of Fig.3; Fig. 5, a sectional view of the clutch for connecting anddisconnecting the stoking devices with and from the motor.

The purpose of my invention is to produce a simple and efficientapparatus for stoking or charging furnaces generally, whereby most ofthe labor incident to manual stoking shall be rendered unnecessary andthe uniformity of the stoking and firing so increased as greatly toeconomizefuel.

The term stoking is here employed in its morecomprehensive sense,implying not merely the feeding or introduction of fuel, but also theproper distribution thereof and the removal of ashes, &c., or, in otherwords, the trimming of the fire.

It is of course desirable that the apparatus shall be capable of manualactuation in order that the fire may be properly started and maintainedprior to development of pressure I sufficient to actuate the motor or inthe event of use where fluid-pressure is not available. So, too, it isadvisable to provide for the feeding of fuel without shaking the grateor agitating the fire or to vary the relation of these two operations asto degree. A forced draft is sometimes advantageous, and if provided itshould be subject to perfect regulation and control not only as tostrength, but also as to the point or points of application to orpassage through the fuel. These and other matters are carefully providedfor in the construction illustrated in the drawings and which will nowbe described.

' A indicates afire-box or combustion-chain- The boiler may be presentor not, as found I expedient in any given case, but will be carried intothis description for better explanation of the complete scheme ofoperation.

The furnace-front D, consisting, essentially, of a cast-iron plate, isformed with a hopper E, extending from the middle toward each sideof thefront and of a width approximately half that of said front ordinarily,though its dimensions may vary as found best.

The hopper E is designed to receive and hold a considerable supply offuel, which falling to the bottom of the hopper rests upon a flat orhorizontal bed CL, from which it is forced through an opening I) in thefurnace-front D l plate D. The throat c has an upward inclination fromthe opening 5 rearward and also widens or increases in verticalmeasurement nace-front inward toward the fire-box; but this I findundesirable, for the reason that the fuel is thereby caused to fall awayfrom the feed-opening and to leave an insufficient quantity at the headof the grate to insure 3 the best working conditions. As mentioned, Igive the throat or passage an upward inclination, making this sufficientto cause the fuel to form a fairly compact mass. This not only enablesme to judge accurately and i at all times the quantity of fuel that willbe introduced in a given time, but it precludes any considerable ingressof air through the throat or feed-opening, and thus preventsI the unduedeadening of the fire, on the one hand, or the premature ignition andcombustion of the fuel, on the other hand. This feature of constructionI find of very considerable importance, materially improving the actionof the apparatus and enhancing the economy of its use.

The pusher or feeding-slide F is merely a metallic block or casting of alength equal to that of theinterior of the hopper and of throat c and ofa height at its inner edge or face somewhat less than that of opening1). At its front or outer edge it is formed with ears d, which areconnected by bolts to arms e, projecting radially from a sleeve H, en-

circling a shaft I, which shaft receives an oscillating motion from amotor J through the medium of an arm f, secured upon shaft I, and apitman g connected with the piston of the motor.

Sleeve H is loose upon shaft I, but may be connected therewith throughthe medium of devices shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, which will i now beexplained.

K indicates a rocking head or casting loosely encircling the shaft I andprojecting above and below the same in the form shown in Figs. 1, 3, and5. The lower extension of this head or rocker is in the form of twoseparatedbut parallel arms g, between which is hung a block h, carryinga sleeve ito receive apitman or connecting rod L, through which motionis transmitted to the grate-bars, as hereinafter explained.

The upper portion of the head or rocker K has at its rear side alaterally-projecting and shouldered rib j, adapted to engage one of thearms e of sleeve H and to carry said arm and sleeve forward with it whenhead or rocker K is rocked in that direction. Projecting forward fromthe upper portion of the head or rocker K is an extension is, the outerportion of which is offset so as to stand opposite to or in line withthe outer face of the same arm 6, behind which stands the shoulder orrib j.

The extension is bored or drilled and tapped to receive a heavy screw Z,the inner end of which may be carried directly against the arm e or asnear thereto as desired, its adjustment determining whether or not thereshall be any play or lost motion of the head K relatively to sleeve H,and if so how much. The outer end of the screwstem is furnished with ahand-lever, wheel, or other contrivance by which to'turn it.

Since the grate receives motion through connection with the lower arms 9of head or rocker K and the feeding-slide or pusher F receives motionthrough connection with the arms 6 of sleeve 11, it will be apparentthat the relative extent of their movements may be determined by theadjustment of screw Z. The head or casting K is further formed with asocketed neck or boss m to receive a hand lever by which to rock thehead and actuate the feed-slide and grate, as indicated in Fig. 3. Whenthe apparatus is to be thus manually actuated, the rocking head K isleft free and loose upon shaft I, except for its connection therewiththrough the shouldered rib j and screw-stem Z, but as it is desirableordinarily toactuate the whole through power applied to the shaft Iprovision is made for locking the head or rocker to the shaft. For

this purpose there is keyed or otherwise made fast upon the shaft Ibeside head K a sleeve M, provided with a tubular shell m, in which isarranged a sliding bolt 02, adapted to be protruded from the shell andto be entered into a seat or socket 0 in the head or rocker K, asindicated in Figs. 1 and-5. The bolt n is in all essential particularslike an ordinary cylindrical door-bolt, having an operatinghandpiece 19extending through a slot q, formed with seats or depressions to receivethe handpiece p and to retain the bolt at either limit of its travel.

In order that the movement of the gratebars or grate may be maderelatively less than that of the feeding-slide F when desired, thepitman or connecting rod L is shouldered in rear of sleeve 1', as shownin Fig. 3, and a nut or follower g is screwed upon the rod L at itsouter end or in front of sleeve 11. By properly adjusting this nut orfollower and screw-stem Z any desired relative play may be secured.

It is important in any apparatus of this sort that all parts beaccessible and susceptible of manual regulation and control. Thus it isdesirable that the attendant shall be able at any time to pass hisfire-tools into throatc or through the same and into the space beyond;and it is likewise advisable to maintain a fairly close sealing of theopening at the front of the hopper, through which the feedin slide orfollower passes. To meet both requirements, the openingthrough the frontof the hopper E is made considerably higher than the slide or follower,except near each end, and the opening is normally closed by a verticalgate N, the lower edge of which rests upon slide or follower F and theends of which are or may be held in place by overlapping IOG platessecured to or ribs cast upon the hopper. The gate is free to rise andfall and is advisably furnished with handles by which to lift it fromposition when it is desired to open the space above the pusher orfollower F.

For the purpose of supplementing the weight of the gate N and thus morecertainly maintaining a close joint between its lower edge and thefollower I provide one or more levers 0, each having an upturned end toengage beneath a lug or ear g formed upon or secured to the front of thehopper, and each furnished with a pendulous link 7', having at its lowerend a T-head to rest in or upon ears or lugs 8, formed upon or attachedto the gate, all as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 3; The levers 0 may beweighted to give any desired pressure of the gate upon the slide orfollower.

Extending inward from the furnace-front D is a frame composed,essentially, of two side plates P P, two cross-bars Q and R, and abox-like cross connection S, the latter serving as an air space orchamber and being covered by a ribbed and perforate plate T, the outeredge of which joins the inner edge of the bottom or floor offeeding-throat c, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The side plates P P are bolted to the furnace-front D, and theconnecting members Q, R, and S are bolted to the side plates, asindicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower ends of the side plates rest uponthe floor of the ash-pit, and the cross-bar R extends beneath aprojection of the bridge-wall, so that all U indicates the fire-grate,upon which the fuel is burned, and V the clinker or cinder grate, whichreceives the spent or partiallyspent fuel, clinker, &c., and dischargesthem into the ash-pit beneath when necessary.

The grate U may be of any approved type, but is preferably composed ofparallel bars or members to and 00, the former bolted to the crossmember S or other suitable support and the latter adapted to moverelatively to the former to effect proper agitation of the fire anddischarge of ashes.

The lower ends of both sets of bars 10 and a: are slotted to fit overthe projecting flange t of cross-bar Q, the slots being of such lengthas to provide for any expansion that may occur and the bearing beingsufficient to preclude withdrawal from the flange if under the greatestcontraction possible.

The grate-bars are quite heavy, and this weight, augmented by that ofthe fuel, necessitates the expenditure of considerable force to move thegrate-bars as. To make the movement as free as practicable, each bar isformed with an elongated horizontal opening y in its lower end, as seenin Fig. 3, and cylindrical rods 01'' rollers z are passed through theopenings of a series of the bars and serve as rolling bearings for themovable bars 00, the rolls moving upon the fixed bars and the movablebars traveling upon the rolls. The bars a: should have no direct oractual bearing upon the flange or rib of cross-bar Q underordinarycircumstances, but in the event of the rolls working out of anyof the movable bars they would be kept in position by said flange.

To permit the ready insertion of the rollers z where the masonry iscompleted prior to setting the grate and to provide also for removal atany time, the rollers z are preferably made of a length equal to halfthe width of the grate approximately, and when about half the bars areset in place the two rollers are passed side by side into the openings yof said bars. The otherbars are then set up, and then one of the rollersis movedendwise to its place in the second half, or, in other words, therollers are placed endto end and in alinement, each thus tending toretain the other in place, since they move equally and simultaneouslyand remain in alinement.

For the purpose of reciprocating or moving the bars x there is provideda rock-shaft W, carrying a series of arms or projections which serveboth to support and to impart motion to the grate-bars.

The construction of the rock-shaft may vary, but I prefer thatillustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, where the shaft is represented asof squareform in cross-section, but with its ends turned cylindrical to formjournals, which are preferably carried in roller-bearings, asillustrated in Fig. 4.

Each bar 00 is formed with an open-sided circular seat a to receive theboss or head 19 of a block 0, made in the form of a sleeve or collar toclosely encircle the shaft W. These blocks 0' may be cast or forged, asdesired, and may be shrunk, keyed, or otherwise secured upon therock-shaftV or merely slipped to place thereon, passing between thefixed bars to and being thus prevented from shifting laterally to anymaterial extent.

One of the blocks or sleeves c'is formed with depending arms (1, Figs. 3and 4, for connection with the rod L, through which motion is impartedto the grate-bars 0c.

' The construction shown and described is simple, strong, andefficient,the bars 00 receiving a longitudinal movement and also arising-and-falling movement at their. upper ends, whereby the ashes areeifectively shaken out and the coal is caused to Work down over thefire-grate surface, the cinders finally falling upon the lower grate V.

. The grate-bars w andw are. represented as of stepped form, withhorizontal or slightlyconcaved plates or portions corresponding to thetreads of steps and with openings beneath the plates through which airmay. enter. This construction is found to give excellent ICS results andtoinsure very perfect combustion, but may be departed from, if desired.

The grate V is or may be of any usual grate form, but is preferablymadein twofsections each extending half-way from one side plate P to theother, as seen in Fig. 2. Each section is formed with journals orgudgeons 6' near its rear side, which rest in suitable seats or bearingsin the grate-frame. This constructionis for the purpose of permittingthe front of each section to be dropped from its normal position todumpthe cinders, clinkers, 850., accumulated thereon, or tobe quickly raisedand lowered a short distance to break up and dislodge. any clinker orslag that may form alongthe comb-like ledge n.

For the double purpose of maintaining the ctinkerflgrate sections.normalll-y in horizontal plane and of moving them: vertically whenrequired each section isprovided' near-its free or moving edge with asupporting brace or frame X of the form.- shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.,These braces are each in the form of a triangular frame, one side ormemberof which extends: beneath and is hinged or jointed to thegrate-section, while at its lower angle there isalateral projecting studoraxle f", preferably furnished with a roller which restsand travelsnponasupporti-ngfl'angeor rib 72/, formed upon or bolted to the-proximateside plate P and of curved format its forward end, as shown, the curvebeingof relatively shorter radius than. thesupportingdesired, thoughthere is a material advantage in employing a hydraulic motor andconnecting its supply-pipe with the boiler below the "low-water level;so that themotor may at all 1. times receive water at boiler-press wrbut not .receivesteam The-watenmotor-givesabum frame X.

Y indicates an actuating bar, one end of which is hung upon the bolt oraxle f and the other end of which, protruding through and beyond frontplate D, is-fashiioned into a handhold, as shown. in Figs. 1 and 3.There is abar Y for each brace or'su-pport X, and each bar isprovidcd'with a notch in. its lower edgeto engage with. the lower walk of theopening in thefront plate-D1, through which it passes, said notch beinglocated in position to.lock thebaratthat. point atwhich it will hold.the brace in: a vertical: position, and consequently retainthegrate-section in horizoni f0rth= has been found extremelysatisfactory tal plane.

The curvature ofi the forward end of'the rib on-flange It is. suchthatwhen the banY is drawn forward from its nonmal position thebraceX,.and-consequentlytheforwardsideof grate-section-V', willbeelevatedabove its normal. plane;. but as; the angle of thebrace to thegrate-section. changes. from a rightangle to an obtuse one the forcerequired to. move the brace forward decreases as the distance movedincreases.

L have above-referred to the boX-likeconnecting member S and itscover T,designed to serve the double functionof' connecting the side plates.P11" and: containing and: distributing-air for aiding combustion.introduced into the box or chamber-S by-a trunk Z, Fig. 3, and may beforced into-and through the same by any convenient means L l combinationof a downwardly-inclinedgrate if natural draft beinadequate. Inthedraw-,70 projecting beyond the furnace front.

Air is ings I have indicated by dotted lines an an n-ular blower ofcommon form, located in the induction end of the trunk, but any othertype of air-forcing device may be employed, or insome cases none need beused.

From the box S the air escapes through broad flat months or nozzles '5,formed in the top or cover T of said box, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4these months or nozzles being separated by channels, grooves, ordepressions, which become filled with ashes in a short time and preventthe plate ortop from burning out. For a like purpose the horizontalportions of side plates P P are similarly grooved or channeled.

The lower side of box S is provided with: a sliding bottom or damper j,having a handle y opening this damper more or less air-may be permittedto pass in any desired quantity to and through the grate-bars: underwhatever pressure is maintained within thebox. By

' opening the ash-pit doors mereor'less-a natural draft may becausedthrough said grate.

The cover or top T continues the upward inclination of the bottom ofthroat 0.

At the sides or ends of the hopper-E there are openings through thefrontplate D, closed by suitable-doors, by opening orclosing which the firemay be regulated with nicety or acf cess may be had to the fire-box forany purpose.

The construction of the motor may vary as dant. power, operates somewhatslowly or gradually, and causes but little loss of heat, the water beingdischarged into the feedwa-tenwell or tank and pumped back to the boilerwith practically no loss other thanthe power required to restore thewater to the f boiler.

The apparatus constructed as above set in use, showing great economy infuelconsumption relatively to evaporation, and this because ofthe evendistribution offuehthe clean grate, and the propersupply of" airto theWhole body of'fuel.

The clinkers, slag, slate, &c., which ordinarily deaden a fire areinashort time WOl'kGd.

down over the fire-grate and delivered to the clinker-grate, whence theyare delivered by loweringthe front of the clinker-grate, any

clinkerorslagforming at thefoot ofthe'fird grate being broken andloosened by moving therods Y back and-forth, and thus-throwing theclinker-grates up and down at their forward edges.

I-Iavingthusdescribed my i'nvention,what I: claimislIO 1*. In astokingapparatus forf'urnaces, the

a fixed bed or fuel-support at the upper endof the grate; a feed-hopper;an upwardly-inclined feeding throat or passage, the lower wall or floorof which extends in a direct line and at a slight upward inclinationfrom the bottom of the feed-hopper to the fixed fuel bed or support; anda reciprocating slide working across' the hopper and serving to forcematerial therefrom through the feeding-passage and to deliver it uponthe fixed fuel bed or support, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the fire box or chamber of a furnace; afuel-hopper;- a reciprocating slide or pusher movable across saidhopper; an opening extending across the hopper above the slide; and agravitating gate bearing upon the slide at the forward or outer side ofthe hopper, and serving the double purpose of a closure for the openingand a scraper for the slide.

3. In combination with hopper E having lugs q; gate N provided with lugss; and levers 0 provided with links r, all constructed and arrangedsubstantially as described and shown.

4. In combination with fuel-hopper E and slide or pusher F, adelivery-trunk c extending upward therefrom at a slight inclination andof regularly-increasing vertical measurement; and a fuel-bed orsupporting-plate T at the rear end of the trunk c; all substantially asdescribed and shown.

5. In combination with a feed-hopper, a delivery-slide or pusher; ashaft; a sleeve encircling said shaft and having a radial arm connectedwith the slide or pusher; a rocking head carried by the shaft, movablerelatively to the sleeve and provided with a shoulder to engage the armof said sleeve; and a screw also carried by the rocking head and adaptedto bear upon the arm of the sleeve at a point opposite that at which theshoulder bears; whereby the rocking head is adapted to impart movementto the sleeve, but with lost motion determined by the adjustment of thescrew.

6. In combination with shaft I, sleeve H encircling said shaft providedwith arms e, a; slide or pusher F connected with said arms; hopper E;rocker K provided with shouldered rib j and screw Z; sleeve M. providedwith bolt 71; arm f secured to shaft I; and motor .I connected with armf.

7. In combination with a feed-hopper and a feeding-slide or pusher; arocking sleeve or shaft connected with and serving to reciprocate saidslide; a rocking head adapted to receive the power required foroscillating the sleeve or shaft; means for connecting and disconnectingthe rocking head with a source of power and an adjustable connectionbetween the rocking head and sleeve or shaft, whereby the extent ofmovement of the sleeve or shaft may be varied while that of the headremains constant.

8. In combination with hopper E; slide F; shaft I; sleeve H providedwith arms 6 for x provided with slots y; rollers z passing through saidslots; and rock-shaft W, having bosses b seated in recesses in the bars00.

11. In combination with a series of alternate fixed andmovablegrate-bars, each provided with a slot y; two rollers z, passing throughsaid slots and placed in axial alinement, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

12. In a furnace, the combination of an airbox located at the front ofthe fire-grate and provided with a series of upwardly-projecting mouthsor nozzles for delivery of air; and means for producing a blast orforced draft through said nozzles.

13. In a furnace, an air-box located at the front of the fire-grate, andprovided at its top with a series of upwardly-projecting mouths ornozzles for delivery of air.

14. In combination with an inclined fire-..

grate; an air-box at the front thereof provided with openings in its topfor escape of air above the grate, and with an opening in its bottomprovided with a slide or damper to permit and control delivery of airbeneath the grate.

1 5. In combination with a grate-frame havin g a toothed bar; and withan inclined grate carried by said frame; a clinker-grate located at thelower side of the inclined grate; and means substantially as describedfor moving the edge of the clinker-grate past the toothed bar, for thepurpose set forth.

16. In combination with a grate-frame provided with a rib h, having anupwardlyturned forward end; a grate V pivoted at a point distant fromits front edge; andasupporting-brace X having a roller. g arranged totraverse the upwardly-turned portion of the rib and thereby to elevatethe front of the grate above its normal plane.

17. In combination with a grate-frame having toothed bar Q and flange orrib h curved as described; swinging grate V; brace X; roller 9 carriedby said brace and arranged to traverse the curved portion of rib h; andbar Y for moving the brace; whereby the free edge of grate V is causedto move upward past the teeth of bar Q and thereby to break and dislodgeclinkers there located.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES R. GREUTER.

